Reusability and stability of a novel ternary (Co–Cd–Fe)-LDH/PbI2 photoelectrocatalytst for solar hydrogen production

Abstract

The design of highly active and cost-effective photoelectrocatalysts for effective hydrogen generation becomes a mandatory issue due to the demands on sustainable solar fuels. Herein a novel ternary Co–Cd–Fe LDH/PbI2 nanocomposite (T-LDH/PbI2NC) was fabricated by combining strategies of doping and in-situ loading of ternary Co–Cd–Fe LDH. The morphological, structural, and optical properties of PbI2, T-LDH, and T-LDH/PbI2 NC were studied by different techniques. LDH narrows the bandgap of the nanocomposite to 2.53 eV which prolongs the lifetime of the photo-induced electrons. Subsequently, the use of T-LDH/PbI2 NC improves the photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) H2 production rate. T-LDH/PbI2 NC shows a catalytic H2 production rate of 107.53 mmol h−1 cm−2 with IPCE% of 83.8% for 307 nm and 67.3% for 508 nm. The ABPE% reaches its supreme of 4.24% for − 0.58 V and 5.41% for − 0.97 V, these values are the highest values yet for LDH-based photocatalysts. The influences of the operating temperature and monochromatic illumination on the PEC performance were studied. Also, the electrochemical surface area, thermodynamic parameters, and Tafe slopes are calculated to label the hydrogen evolution mechanism. Moreover, the stability and reusability of the T-LDH/PbI2 NC photoelectrode were investigated. This work not only illustrated a simplistic and accessible way to produce a new category of highly efficient photocatalysts compared to the previously reported LDH-based PEC catalysts but also demonstrates a new point of view for improving PEC performance towards industrial water splitting under sunlight irradiation.

Recent Progress in LDH@Graphene and Analogous Heterostructures for Highly Active and Stable Photocatalytic and Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

“…Alternatively, 2D−C 3 N 4 /NiFe−LDH heterostructure displayed the best H 2 evolution rate of 3087 μmol g −1 h −1 (6817 μmol g −1 h −1 with 3 wt.% Pt) under 450 W solar simulator (AM1.5) and TEOA as sacrificial agent [151] . Similarly, the best reported data for LDH‐based PEC catalysts includes PbI 2 /Co−Cd−Fe LDH, J ph =53.3 mA cm −2 at −1 V vs. Ag/AgCl, IPCE=83.8% at 307 nm, 67.3% at 405 nm, and applied bias‐photon‐to‐current efficiency (ABPE)=4.24% in −0.58 V and 5.41% in 0.97 V [156] …”

“…Normally, heterostructures are formed by the coupling of two (or more) materials (metals, non‐metals, graphene, transition metal oxides, metal sulfides, carbides, nitrides or chalcogenides) in single architectures, which possess prospective optical and electrical, properties for desired catalytic applications [150–158] . Mostly, TEM/HR‐TEM imaging technique could be used to prove the atomic structure and electronic properties of heterostructure.…”

Preparation and evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of sodium alginate-grafted diphenylamine embedded with silver nanoparticles

“…The peak was typical for the C-N bond at 1295 cm −1 . These peaks were associated with the formation of coordination bonds between silver atoms and oxygen or nitrogen atoms arising from PVP units [35]. In the Na.alg-g-DPA diagram in Fig.…”

Recent developments in layered double hydroxide structures with their role in promoting photocatalytic hydrogen production: A comprehensive review

“…Two paired metal cations made up the LDH host layer were denoted as binary LDH, three metal cations paired known as ternary LDH, 231 while four metal cations were referred to as quaternary LDH. 232 Even though ternary LDH was shown to exhibit excellent photocatalytic properties in some studies, [233][234][235][236] their potential to drive hydrogen production is still not widely investigated. Similar scenarios can be observed in the quaternary LDH, by which their photocatalytic performances are faintly explored.…”